Truss



(ModeL) J. H. WARREN.

muss.

No. 391,099. Patented 001;. 16, 1888.

Wyn 5555 R OW a N4 PETERS. FlmtvLilhogngher. Walkingon. n. c,

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH HUOKINS \VARREN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

TRUSS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,099, dated October 16, 1888.

Application filed October 8, 1887.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH HUCKINS \VAR- KEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Truss, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of trusses known as. the springtruss, the object and purpose being the maintenance and support of a rupture or hernia in the most efficacious manner with the least complication of mechanism and the slightest discomfort or danger to the wearer. I attain these objects by the use of springs suitably connected together, in combination with a suitable pad or pads in the front and back, with or without a perineal strap, as shown in the accompanying drawings, of which the fol lowing is a description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front perspective view of the truss complete; Fig. 2, a rear perspective view of the same; Fig. 3, a rear view of the back pads and of the metallic connecting strip uniting the same; Fig. 4, a central longitudinal section of the same; Fig. 5, a rear View of one of the front pads; Fig. 6, a front view of the same; Fig. 7, a longitudinal central section of a selfadjusting connecting device between a front pad and the spring to which it is attached, showing one part inside view; Fig. 8, a central sect-ion of a nut and washer shown in connection with one of the attaching-screws.

Similarletters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The truss shown as a whole in Figs. 1 and and 2 consists, essentially, of two springs, A A, joined together by the intermediate strip, B, and being adjustable thereon, a pair of back pads, C 0, attached to this connectingstrip B, and a pair of front pads, D D, attached, respectively, to the free ends of the springs A A directly or by means of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

The springs A Aconsist of thin flat ribbonlike bands of metal of any suitable character, but preferably of steel, said springs being curved to a C shape and attached by their proximal ends to the connectingstrip of metal B,also ofsteel or other sui table spring metal,by

Serial No. 251,8;H. iModel.)

means of studs or set-screws a a and the movable buttons b, said connecting-strip being slotted at each end, as shown at c 0', these slots allowing a certain amount of angular adjustment of the two springs A A, and also allowing an increase or decrease of length of the springs in combination.

The movable button I), attached to the spring A, Fig. 2, engages at its lower extremity by a stud or set-screw, a, with the curved segmental slot 0, and is free to move on the spring A and in the said slot 0', but when held on the spring A by the set-screw determines the angle which the spring makes with the strip B, this angle being proportionate to the relative positions of the set-screws a a and the stud in the slot 0. This angular adjustment is of especial value in cases of deformity,where one side of the pelvis is higher than the other, or in cases of spinal curvature.

The two springs A A and spring metallic strip B, acting in conjunction, form a continuous spring which exerts constant and uniform pressure upon the hernia, said pressure being transmitted through the front pads, D D, and the connecting mechanism when used, said pressure continuing the same in whatever position or condition the body may be placed.

The connectingstrip B is permanently attached by its opposite and terminal ends or wings to each of the back pads, respectively,

as shown in Fig. 2, the central portion of the strip being arched so as to form a saddle which overrides the spine, thus avoiding injury to and chafing of the skin and underlying tissues, which would otherwise occur if the metal strip were contiguous to the body when the truss is in position. This strip is slotted, as shown at c c, for the purpose herein specified.

The back pads shown, especially in Figs. 3 and 4., consist of a metal frame, d, of the shape shown in the drawings, this frame being covered with a slightly-convex perforated plate,e, of metal, or with wiregauze f, so attached that its presents its convex surface to the body when in contact with it. Each of these frames IOO other suitable means. A pair of these pads, the one the counterpart of the other, form the back pad.

Each front pad, D, consists of a metal frame, 9, pear-shaped in outline, the one-the right being the reverse-of the other. Each frame is reenforced by an arch, h, of metal crossing the frame from side to side in the same horizontal plane as the frame, describing an arc of a circle in that plane, having the apex of the frame as a center, said arch being perforated with screw-threaded holes it, 'a hole, j, also being bored and screw-threaded near the apex s or gauze.

of the frame. The lower portion of the frame is circular in section and receives a ring, E, of metal, which is free to revolve within it in the horizontal plane, but can be immovably fixed within it in any desired position by setscrews. This ring is covered with a plate, G, of perforated metal or piece of wire-gauze, of a convex or other suitable surface,attached to the ring by solder or in any other suitable way, the portion of the frame not filled by the ring being also covered with perforated metal These pads thus combined are attached to the terminal ends of the springs A A respective] y, the ends being tapered for this purpose to form a curved terminal extension, k, terminating at the arch h of the pad and provided with holes through which screws are passed engaging in the threaded holes j j and one of the series of holes it, the angle which the pad makes with the spring varying with the hole selected. These perforated sheet-metal or wiregauze pads allow the escape of perspiration and access of air to avoid irritation of the parts, to maintain a healthy state of the tissue by avoiding overheating, and to allow the topical application of fluid or solid medicaments.

Slight adjustment in the axis of the spring is provided for by the torsion of the spring in the simplest form of the truss; but if greater adjustment is required I make use of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7, consisting of a plate, H, perforated at its center to allow the passage of the screw which attaches it to the spring A, the tail of the spring being cut off -when this attachment is used.. Ears l are .stantly separate the rear ends of the plate and sleeve. This sleeve or thimble is made of a section of tubing, and provided,in addition to the downwardprojecting ears, with one or more set-screws, o.

The tailpiece cut from the spring A is provided at its proximal end with a cylindrical stem,-P, which fits the sleeve I and is free to revolve in it when not checked by the set screw,adj ustment of the curved arm and pad being thus allowed in theaxis of the sleeve. This allows a change in the angle which the pad makes with the body. The spring J also maintains a constant pressure upon the pad, which is thereby enabled to follow every motion of the body and always retain the hernia.

The truss, as a whole, is highly polished and plated with silver, nickel, or gold, or covered with celluloid or hard or soft rubber.

I am aware that prior to my invention trusses have been made with a combination of a spring or of springs with a front and back pad or pads. I therefore do not claim such a combination broadly; but

What I do claim as my invention, and desire to-secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, in a'trussfof a slotted and arched strip, B, made ofelastic metal, and two springs,A A,bearing the front pads,D D, on their forward ends, curved in form and attached by theirback ends to the said strip B by set-screws a a, substantially as described, whereby longitudinal and angular adjustments of the springs are effected, as herein set forth.

2. The combination of a metal frame, d, with a perforated metal plate to form a back pad, said frame and plate being combined with and attached to the strip B, substantially as herein described and set forth.

3. The combination of a metal frame, g, a ring, E, and a perforated metal plate to form a front pad, all substantially as herein described and set forth.

4:- The combination of a truss-pad frame provided with a perforated attaohingarch, and a perforated truss spring adjustable on the said attaching-arch, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.

5. The combination of the spring A, having a curved terminal extension, k, and the pad D, having an attaching'screw near one end and a series of screw holes across the main part, also attached to the spring by a screw, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

6. The combination ofa frame, g, and a ring, E,adj ustable in the frame, said ring being covered with a suitable plate of metal and changeable at will, all specifically and substantially as herein described and set forth.

7. The combination of a plate, H, a joint, 0, a sleeve or thimble, J, set-screws 0, and a stem, a. free to revolve in said sleeve, all substantially as herein described and set forth.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing,

witnesses. I

JOSEPH HUCKINS WARREN. W'itnesses:

O. K. GRAVES, W. P, DEVLIN. 

